1st Sunday of Advent (November 30). Where we walk

Prepare to Listen.  If using the Advent wreath, light the first purple candle.  Be still and pray: Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
 
Helpful Background
Mountain, in ancient times, was often used as a symbolic reference to the home of gods; the god who lived on the highest mountain was the supreme god.  For biblical writers a mountain was symbolic of the presence of the God of Israel.  In the passage for today, Isaiah describes God on ‘the highest of the mountains,’ signifying God’s Sovereignty over all gods, all nations, all people.  Sovereignty (God ruling over all creation) is a key theme in the book of Isaiah.  The LORD’s house (the temple) was built on Mt Zion in Jerusalem.  In this passage, the Temple and Jerusalem are symbolic, not literal places that people will literally come to.
 
Prayerfully Read Isaiah 2:2-5
2In days to come the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.  3Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’  For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
This Isaiah lesson is a vision of what Messiah (Jesus) would do.  What challenged, delighted, or surprised you the most?
 
On the day of the LORD’s coming, people from every nation, will voluntarily seek the LORD, coming to his temple in Jerusalem to be taught God’s ways in order to walk in God’s paths.  War and violence will cease; weapons will be made into farm tools.  This change is now possible because of Jesus, who desires we live his non-violent way now.
 
On that day, says Isaiah, all the nations will cease their oppressive threats, hateful and divisive ideologies, give up their me-first agendas and instead learn to practice peace with all the diverse peoples of the world.  What will make them do this?  What will make Jerusalem the magnet to draw all nations to God?  According to Walter Brueggemann, it will happen “when the city has become a place commodious for widows and orphans, when the city is marked, as it surely will be, by faithfulness, justice, and righteousness.”[1]  This is what Jesus came to bring into the world and thus how the church should be today.
 
Supporting the poor, the oppressed, the widow, the orphan and the immigrant is what will draw people to God.  It will be the light that attracts the world.  Therefore, “Come let us walk in the light of the LORD.”  Embrace this vision of peaceful unity between all nations and people.  It’s the change Jesus possible.  Live obediently now, practicing justice and righteousness because that will attract people to Jesus.
 
How can you live today so that others are drawn to the way of the Lord, a way of non-violence and peace?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Sovereign Lord of all nations, may I live today in a manner that can be a magnet to draw people, all sorts, to you, a way that welcomes the poor and the alienated, a way that promotes faithfulness, righteousness, peace and justice, for no other reason than for your glory, Amen.
 
Live Obediently.  Walk in the light of the Lord.
[1] Brueggemann, Walter.  Isaiah 1-39.  Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.  1998, p. 34